A test of manners p1 - Military Career Development Strategies & Tips - Military Times EDGE

You could fill a book with guidance on business etiquette, and many people have. But little in their pages would raise an eyebrow, especially among members of the military, one of the last holdouts of strict protocol and formal courtesies against the creeping forces of casualness. Most business etiquette is just common graciousness, kicked up to a slightly higher gear. Still, some of the niceties are a little less obvious than others. See how you do on this true-or-false quiz:

It is rude to read or work while waiting for an interview.

False. Not at all, says Beverly Langford in her book “The Etiquette Edge.” “If you can be productive while you wait, you won’t run the risk of appearing impatient or agitated.”

It is usually not appropriate to shake someone’s hand by sandwiching it between your own.

True. While it can be a sign of affection in some parts of the country, “this type of handshake is often viewed as condescending” and should not be used in a business setting, Lillian Hunt Chaney and Jeanette St. Clair Martin write in “The Essential Guide to Business Etiquette.”

Sitting on the edge of your chair indicates openness and cooperativeness.

True. Open or steepled hands and a tilted head signal the same thing, says Langford, but fidgeting in your chair is a sign of insecurity or nervousness.

Thank-you notes after an interview are no longer necessary.

False. Use good stationery and send notes promptly, recommends Jacqueline Whitmore in “Business Class.”

When making a business introduction, lead with the name of the older person.

False. “In business, the order in which an introduction is made is determined by accomplishments and seniority,” regardless of age, Whitmore says. For example, you would say, “Mr. More Important, I’d like to introduce you to Mr. Less Important.”